Abstract
Single cell studies have identified intraclonal heterogeneity of cytokine production by activated T cells. To investigate implications of cytokine heterogeneity for cell fate, an interleukin (IL)-2 promoter-green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter transgenic model was developed to track IL-2+ and IL-2- T cells during differentiation from naive precursors. Antigen-activated IL-2+ and IL-2- cells had comparable proliferative capacities in primary responses. However, T cells that expressed IL-2 in primary responses demonstrated enhanced antigenic sensitivity and increased expression of effector cytokines in secondary responses in vitro and in vivo. Thus, heterogeneity of activation during a primary response translates into heterogeneous secondary responses, in which enhanced memory/effector function is linked to cells that previously exceeded an activation threshold associated with IL-2 gene transcription.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 271-280 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Immunity |
Volume | 11 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sep 1999 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases